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Konami and Nextgym to get their groove on

by: Chuck -
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Konami sends word that they have partnered with Nextgym (think Ballys for kids) to put DDR rigs in their current and future new stores.  This is one of those deals that makes a lot of sense for both parties as there have been more than a few studies that show that DDR does help people lose weight.

KONAMI PARTNERS WITH NEXGYM TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND FITNESS BENEFITS OF THE  DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION REVOLUTION VIDEO GAME WITH KIDS

America Is Having Fun And Staying In Shape Playing DDR – Nexgym Members Can Now Enjoy The Popular “Exer-gaming” Phenomenon At All Participating Locations



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.
– March 14, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that it has partnered with Nexgym to make its celebrated Dance Dance Revolution® (DDR) video game a featured activity at all current and future locations of the popular high-energy gym for kids. As part of the agreement, kids ages 3-14 will be able to take advantage of the health and fitness benefits of Dance Dance Revolution at all Nexgym locations during interactive classes and open gym “exer-gaming” sessions. Konami will also promote DDR tournament events at existing Nexgym locations and in connection with the grand openings of future Nexgym franchises around the country.
 
“This agreement with Nexgym is the latest in a series of partnerships including the State of West Virginia public school system and 24 Hour Fitness, to showcase the health benefits of using Dance Dance Revolution,” said Clara Gilbert, Director of Business Partnerships at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “DDR and Nexgym are a perfect fit, delivering an unparalleled mix of fitness and fun that get kids as young as 3 years old off the couch and playing to stay in shape.”
 
DDR and Nexgym both offer fun and positive solutions to the growing health and fitness challenges facing today’s children. Staffed with trained fitness experts who have a passion for working with kids, Nexgym locations offer Xtreme Birthday Parties, programs for children with special needs, nutritional guidance and custom fitness programs for children. Nexgym and Konami will feature DDR tournaments during Grand Opening celebrations.  Nexgym currently has locations open in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and anticipates opening more than 10 new franchises in Texas and major cities in other states in 2007.
 
“Joining the health and fitness benefits of DDR with the environment of a Nexgym is an unbeatable combination in helping kids stay in shape while having fun,” said Kevin Bolden, President, Nexgym Franchising Corporation. “By placing DDR in Nexgym locations we strive to help kids achieve their fitness goals in a non-intimidating and fun way.”
 
Dance Dance Revolution has created a fitness phenomenon that helps people of all ages use interactive video games to lose weight and achieve better health. Each version of DDR for home video game consoles has a Workout Mode that allows users to track calories burned and monitor their own fitness regiment. DDR has recently been introduced into the physical education curriculum in multiple school districts throughout the United States and is a valuable tool in numerous research studies in fighting childhood obesity.
 
For more information on Dance Dance Revolution, please visit www.konami.com.  For information about Nexgym, visit www.Nexgym.com
 
About Nexgym
Nexgym, The Next Generation in Fitness for Kids is a leading provider of fitness solutions targeted to children ages 6-14.  Owned and managed by Nexgym Franchising Corporation based in Southlake Texas, Nexgym provides franchisees with a unique blend of services tailored for the youth and teen markets.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com <http://www.konami.com/> .

“KONAMI” is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. “Dance Dance Revolution” is a registered trademark of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. © 1998 2007 Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.